The Mental Jukebox

The Mental Jukebox 1.9.8

2008-01-09T21:44:00.000-08:00

Still in the hotel. I told Cootiebug today, "It's starting to feel like 'Sid and Nancy' except there's no heroin and we're at the Hampton instead of the Chelsea."
Allegedly, in three weeks, we'll be home.
Can I reiterate we've been here since November?
Okay, then.

And the FSOTD is...

Closing Time-- Semisonic
I know who I want to take me home.

Hell's Shovel-- Cutthroat Shamrock
By the gods, I can't get this song out of my head! I absolutely friggin' love it. What'chu gonna do?

Florida-- Modest Mouse
Still like this one. It popped into my head, and I know not why. Welcome to the entire point of my blog.

New Girl Now-- Honeymoon Suite
Do you know why nobody remembers this '80's band? They're Canadian. They aren't on some shitty reality show on VH1. And their music was actually pretty good. "I've got a new girl now and she's a lot like you." Take that, random bimbo!

Hairshirt-- REM
From (in my opinion) the last great REM album, this song brings to mind some kind of weird mandolin innocence mixed with the gritty intensities of forensics. "Run a carbon black test on my jaw." Yeah, I know what he means, but ewwww. Hang this hairshirt on the highest rung.

Moneymaker-- Rilo Kiley
And sometimes, my brain hates me. When it plays this song, it wants to me to put on a wet suit, shove an English cucumber up my arse and hang myself from the closet rod.

Lullabye of Broadway-- Ethel Merman
What.
The.
Fuck.

Eastern Bloc-- Thomas Dolby
This is the sequel to the song that rolled through my head next...

Europa and the Pirate Twins-- Thomas Dolby
Can we get some love for Thomas Dolby, please? And can my brain get some applause for absolute creativity? A doubleshot of Dolby for me? Thank you. Thank you so much. When people talk about musical pioneers and don't talk about Thomas Dolby, they do the universe an injustice. Yeah, it's new wave, but it still holds up today, quite strongly.

Don't Pass Me By-- The Beatles
This song shows up more than I really want it to. So what strange hold does this band have on me? How did they become some kind of emotional support system for me? I'm really beginning to believe that with the consistent playing of this song and "Across the Universe," The Beatles are the security blanket of the Mental Jukebox.

You need some Dolby. You need it right now. We'll be the pirate twins again.

Best of 2007 in no real order.

2008-01-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

Sorry posting is still sporadic. I'm not back in the house yet and the computers here at the lovely Hampton Inns and Suites are close to dial-up speed... whenever they're available. When I get big I'm gonna get a laptop. When I get real big.

Anyway... I know you're all waiting with bated breath (which is kind of disgusting, when you think about it, which I don't suggest you do) to know my favorite music of last year. Well, okay then!

Favorite Albums

Icky Thump-- The White Stripes
Thank you, Jack White, for making your guitar sound like a bagpipe in more than one song on this album, but particularly the title track. That song gives me a full on Big Country woody. Thank you, Meg White, for the most boring sex tape to hit the internet ever. Guess it's all a two-count for you, eh, Meg? Thank you more for your drumming on "Rag and Bone," which makes me want to snap my steering wheel with glee whenever I hear it while driving.

Grinderman
I think maybe three other people in the world liked this album. The rest of the world is missing out. Nick Cave is still a mad genius and this album drips mad genius sex. Plus, it's all feedback squeaky and I like that.

nine inch nails-- Year Zero
My one sentence review of this album since the day I found it in the stall has been this: It's almost like "With Teeth" never happened. Thank you, Trent Reznor, for not sucking anymore.

Radiohead-- In Rainbows
It was free. Thanks, guys.

Arcade Fire-- Neon Bible
This is my favorite album of the year. I listen to this like christians listen praise and worship albums. I raise my hands up and sway-- not good in the middle of traffic. Imagine never getting tired of a gourmet dinner. That's what listening to this album repeatedly is like. It is sweeping, majestic and terrifying. And Canadian, to boot, eh? If you don't own this yet, why not? It won't hurt. And it may help.

Favorite Singles

Harder Better Faster Stronger (live)-- Daft Punk
The logical sequel to Neil Young's "Sample and Hold," this may be the best thing to come from France since Monica Bellucci. Did I spell her name right? Does it matter? Have you seen her? Damn. Anyway. Great song and the live version has a tremendous urgency to it that Kanye couldn't dream of putting forth. Our work is never over.

Is There A Ghost-- Band of Horses
I usually have a hard time figuring out song lyrics, but not with this tune, with only two lines to remember... and they're coherent! Thanks, guys!

No Cars Go-- Arcade Fire
This sounds like the marching band from Goth High meets Dexy's Midnight Runners and, instead of fighting, they create a nursery rhyme. Oh, happy day! So catchy, so good.

Survivalism-- nine inch nails
Trent is angry and snarling again. He's mad at everybody. He hates the President and in Trent's Amerikkka, there are more sheep than citizens. This song will either wake you up or make you turn off the radio. No in-betweeners. I hope it makes you wake up.

The Heinrich Manuever-- Interpol
And here's my favorite single of the year. It is snotty and mean, but rolls on this fantastic new wave riff that Brandon Flowers is still kicking himself in the mustache for not writing. I don't dance, but when I hear this song, I'm dancing on the inside. It makes me happy in that good old Joy Division way. Oh, shit, did I just admit that Joy Division makes me happy. Gods, I am not well.

Special mention goes to Jeff Tweedy's cover of "Simple Twist of Fate" and the Mars Volta's "Wax Simulacra." Opposite ends of the spectrum, same result: chills.

And now, for your video, I'd like to present to you everyfuckingthing that went wrong with the music business in 2007.

Happy New Year.
Merry Meet.

The Mental Jukebox Tuesday 12.25.7

2007-12-24T21:36:00.000-08:00

Even if you don't celebrate Christmas or don't particularly enjoy Christmas music, "you" in this case meaning me, there are still some holiday tunes worth mentioning. And while "Jingle Bells" may not stick in my head, here are the Christmas songs you can find in rotation here on the Mental Jukebox.

Christmas in Hollis-- Run-DMC

Not only is this song used in one of my favorite holiday movies, "Die Hard," but it happens to bump just as hard as it did back in the day. A poignant reflection of holidays past, present and future, this early hip-hop holiday classic mentions collard greens without any hint of irony. Kudos for that.

Here It Is Christmas Time-- The Old 97's

Oh, come on. It's cute. And it has clever wordplay. And it makes you totally want to wrap the whole band up in some kind of soft goateed cowboy hat. "You" in this case meaning you.

Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy-- Buck Owens

While exemplifying the Bakersfield sound at its peak, this song is truly frightening. Think of it as the birth of so many phobias. An Oedipal complex, perhaps an Electra complex, too... an unbreakable connexion between Christmas trees and foreplay... perhaps some confusion-- if Santa looks like Daddy, why the hell does he want me to sit on his lap, "me" in this case meaning me? And if I tell Mommy "what I know," will I get in trouble? Dammit! Now I'm a transvestite and I fucking hate Christmas, "I'm" in this case meaning someone I made up.

I Want A Mistress for Christmas-- AC/DC

And I hope you went shopping.

Favorite Holiday song of all time? Easy.
Here's Fairytale of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. Enjoy it, you maggots, you cheap lousy faggots.

And may your gods, whomever they are, bless you, every one.

Triple digits are of the awesome.

2007-12-20T22:07:00.000-08:00

We finally broke 100 hits here at the old Mental Jukebox! Thanks to all of you for reading.

Hi, mom.

For the love of all that is holy (or unholy, as the case may be), link to us. Comment us. Talk about us behind our backs. Help get the word out. The more the merrier... for my ego! Right? Right!

The Mental Jukebox Thursday 12.20.07

2007-12-20T21:52:00.000-08:00

This is actually only a partial list because I am a doofus. I left my list at work, right there on my desk, with a big friggin' PostIt note on the cover that says, "Take this with you!" So, with the exception of the FSOTD (First Song of the Day)and maybe two others, these are all songs from tonight.

Soon We'll Be Living In The Future-- Straylight Run

I don't wanna like it! It's all catchy and pseudo-profound with overtones of Motion City Soundtrack! Yeah, it rocks a lot.

Yakety Sax-- Boots Randolph

If you're an old fart like me, you're thinking Benny Hill. If you're my kid, you're thinking Stewie's sexy party. Both are equally correct.

Here It Is Christmas Time-- Old 97's

One of the best Christmas songs ever? Don't know. But it's climbing up my list.

You're the One That I Want-- John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

I don't know, man. I just don't know.

All the Things That Go To Make Heaven and Earth-- The New Pornographers

Neko Case is in this band. 'nuff said.

Honky Tonk Man-- Dwight Yoakum

Really, who doesn't love Dwight Yoakum? Who is willing to look me in the eye and say they don't love Dwight Yoakum? That's what I thought.

Jesus Just Left Chicago-- ZZ Top

Dwight Yoakum could kick Billy Gibbons' ass. Amazing war-beard notwithstanding.

Burn Down the Malls-- Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper

These guys were the rockabilly Matt Taibbi of the '80's. Go no further than "I Saw Jesus At McDonald's At Midnight" for a life-changing experience.

Montana-- Frank Zappa

When Frank says, "I'm gonna buy me a horse/Just about this big," you know just how big he means. Yippee-ki-yo-ki-yay.

I was at West Town Mall until almost eleven o'clock tonight. Four fucking hours in the madness and the stink. Take it away, Mojo and Skid...

The Mental Jukebox-- Wednesday 12.12.7

2007-12-13T07:30:00.001-08:00

My apologies to all four of you who read this for the late post.

Gemini Dream-- The Moody Blues
Windowsill-- Arcade Fire
Breakfast in America-- Supertramp
Major Tom (Coming Home)-- Peter Schilling
At A Medium Pace-- Adam Sandler
Los Angeles-- X
Whatever, Wherever-- Shakira

And I know I fucked up the title of that Shakira song and you'll just have to forgive me for not caring a whit. It's Shakira. The presence of her music in my head is unwelcome and proof that my brain wants to kill me.

Something To Fall Back On-- Todd Rundgren
Human-- Human League
Eat The Rich-- Aerosmith
Sweet Leaf-- Black Sabbath
Who Are The Brain Police?-- Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

Punk used to mean something. In my poor little head, it still does.

The Mental Jukebox-- Tuesday 12.11.7

2007-12-11T20:33:00.000-08:00

Still haven't been able to go back home since the fire and blogging seems to help take my mind off that. So here is the first post-house fire edition of The Mental Jukebox.

And, looking back over that, apparently one of the things I lost in the fire was the ability to write a decent lead. Are you still here? Even after that?

Masochist.

Right then. On we go.

FSOTD Honours go to...

Jane-- Jefferson Starship
She's playing a game. She's playing a game. She's playing a game. She's playing a gaaaaaaame. Ooof.

Hot Kiss-- Juliette and the Licks
Okay. WUTK played that song this morning. However, I had been thinking of the video before the song came on. Before I was in the truck. Earlier in the day. When I was showering. Juliette Lewis. Crazy. Hot. Crazy hot.

Do Ya Think I'm Sexy-- Revolting Cocks
Don't Believe the Hype-- Public Enemy
Kickapoo-- Tenacious D
Cut Your Hair-- Pavement
On A Plain-- Nirvana

That Nirvana song was in my head for a good hour and a half. Just the last fading bits of the chorus. The "ooh-ooh" started to echo after a while.

Heartbreaker-- Led Zeppelin
And not "Livin' Lovin' Maid." They are not the same song. Check your album listing for further details, thank you very much.

And now, today's disco mystery... the line is, "...but I never get the chance/cuz all I do is dance/my mama says my brains are in my feet."
That explains the migraines, but doesn't tell me what the song is or who it is by. I have the distinct feeling the band is Chic, but I cannot verify that. Anyone want to do a brother a solid and name that tune?

Phantom Limb-- The Shins
You ever listen to the Shins? It'll change your life.

Tick Tick Boom-- The Hives
You ever listen to the Hives? It'll make you wish you were listening to the Shins.

Hell's Shovel-- Cutthroat Shamrock
Local boys do wonderful things with beer and a stand-up bass. The closest thing KnoxVegas will get to a Flogging Molly appearance.

Jesus Chrysler Drives A Dodge-- Screaming Blue Messiahs
Freedom Rock-- Frank Black

You have no idea how badly I wanted to post that Screaming Blue Messiahs video, but I could not find one. And I couldn't post the Juliette and the Licks video because I'm feeling all possessive and stalkeriffic.
So here's Al Jourgenson, Chris Connelly and some zombie strippers.
Kick ass.

The Mental Jukebox 12.10.7 Updatery!

2007-12-10T20:42:00.000-08:00

Unless something completely unforeseen happens, expect a new list tomorrow. If something completely unforeseen happens, then please understand that I just didn't see that one coming.
-j.

The new guy.

2007-12-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

You can call me George. I'll be filling space here while Jeff is off picking new vinyl siding colors.

Three things about me which are important to note:

My own mental musical library is not quite as frighteningly vast as Jeff's, although sometimes it is just frightening. But I'll try to entertain.
I am blessed with a job where I have music playing constantly - mostly even music of my own choosing - so my selections represent the few dead spaces in between, and before and after, my 9-6.
I am also not much of a note-taker on the weekends, so I'll begin with selections from last Friday:

My Baby's Gone - Two Gallants

Woke up with this one, which was the last thing I'd heard the night before. I'd also listened to this cd 3 times the previous day. It's the closer from TG's self-titled album from this year, which is one of my favorite things right now, and I highly recommend it.

Thriller - Michael Jackson

The mention of the 25th anniversary (!) of this album stuck the classic title track in my head all day. It popped up several times at random, from the shower (and I do NOT like to think about Michael Jackson in the shower) throughout the day. I even did a brief zombie dance during a discussion of the "occult influences" that got poor M.J. kicked out of the Watchtower.

Jump Jump - Kris Kross

Here's a strange one. Hadn't really thought of this song in years . Remember Kris Kross? The two kid rappers whose gimmick was (aside from being kid rappers) wearing their clothes backward? Of course you do. Anyway, whatever 7-9 a.m.-not-really-news show I had on in the background was doing a piece on double-dutch, and had a brief sample of this song as the music bed. This was running while I was getting dressed in the next room, and I don't know if my subconscious took over or what, but I put my t-shirt on backward. Luckily I caught it right away, but what I didn't catch for another two hours, is that I had also donned my boxers backward, something I don't recall ever having done before. I kept them that way for the rest of the day, despite the discomfort of an unfortunately-placed fly button, in honor of this truly terrible kid-rapper duo. Who knew what kind of power that song holds?

Everybody Knows - Leonard Cohen
Shock the Monkey - Peter Gabriel
Simple-X - Andrew Bird
Swing Town - Steve Miller

I blame Purdy for this one. It randomly popped into his head at work and, knowing my deep-seeded hatred for Steve Miller - particularly this song - he passed it along to me.

Even Flow - Pearl Jam
Scythian Empires - Andrew Bird

I wasn't allowed to own Thriller when it came out; my mom found Michael to be obscene and I think my dad thought listening to him would make me gay. I was five, and I probably had no business owning it anyway, but I was fascinated with this freaky-ass video when I saw it at cooler, MTV-having friends' houses.

The video is still a heck of a lot of fun.

A Mental Jukebox alert

2007-11-29T18:04:00.000-08:00

Posting will be sporadic for a while. Our house caught on fire Tuesday. No worries. Everyone is fine. We even got the cat out. However, until power and order can be restored, I'm not going to be on a lot.

Just consider that for the next little bit, the only bands I will have in my head are Roger Daltrey, Bruce Springsteen and After the Fire.
Selah.

The Mental Jukebox-- Tuesday 11.27.7

2007-11-27T21:44:00.000-08:00

This was the day that would not end. It just went on and on, my friends. And on a day when I really needed to hear Across the Universe, it didn't show up at all. Thanks, Mental Jukebox. Thanks a lot.

Here's what did play. It's a shorter list than yesterday's list, which is probably a good thing. Or bad. It depends on how much you enjoy the blog, I suppose.

It's A Sin-- Pet Shop Boys

Again, you can always count on the first song of the day to be totally out of left field... I think maybe the FSOTD is a remnant from the last dream you had before waking. Geez... enough kosmic debris for you? Next, I'll be asking koans. Sorry. On we go.

Little Boxes-- Pete Seeger

That one is your fault, Ebenezer. All you.

What's Left of Me-- Nick Lachey

WHY? WHY? WHY? Not the song I needed to hear when the phones are ringing off the hook at work, because when I hear it, I want to be underlit, cry just a little, make a fist and pull it slowly down in front of my face to show you my manly pain. And it needs to be raining. Inside. On my phone. "Sorry," I say to the guy on the phone as I make another fist, "I can't talk right now. It's raining inside and my heart is breaking. Let me connect you to Customer Service."

I Get Around-- The Beach Boys
Signals Over the Air-- Thursday

I know I'm headed towards 40 and I'm not supposed to like Thursday.
I like Thursday.

All The Kids Are Right-- Local H
You're Wrong-- NOFX
Lost Without Your Love-- Bread

If you're old enough to remember not only the band, but the people hosting the television show this clip is taken from, you shouldn't like Thursday. But I hope you do. And I hope you'll comment me. It makes me happy.

The Mental Jukebox-- Monday 11.26.7

2007-11-26T21:09:00.001-08:00

Not only was it a Monday, but it was indeed a rainy day. Amazingly enough, I only just now made that connection. No Carpenters on the list today, but a bunch of other stuff. It's a new week! Let the weirdness begin.

Carolina In My Mind-- James Taylor

The first song of the day always confuses me. It's like whacking an old TV on the side until the picture comes in clearly. That first song is the mental jukebox equivalent of static.

Southern California-- Wax
San Ber'dino-- Frank Zappa
Like to Get to Know You-- Spanky and our Gang
Jerkin' Back and Forth-- Devo
Fairytale of New York-- STARS

Again with the STARS cover? This must be my head's way of coercing me into the holiday spirit. Come on. I put a few lights up out by the driveway. What else do you want from me? Ho, ho, ho.

Hold On-- Yes
Deeper and Deeper-- The Fixx
My Cheri Amour-- Stevie Wonder
Black Velvet-- Alannah Myles

As I said when I started this mess, you don't have to like a song for it to play in the mental jukebox.

No Time-- Guess Who
If Ever I See You Again-- Roberta Flack
Existential Blues Pt. 2-- Tom "T-Bone" Stankus
Disenchanted-- Gary Morris
Talk About the Passion-- R.E.M.
Bittersweet Me-- R.E.M.

Those two R.E.M. songs there? Same friggin' song. Guarantee it. You can combine them into one ten minute long song and never realize you've done it. I know this because I did. Today. Over and over for about an hour. Easy in, easy out. I'm tired and naked.

Bring The Boys Back Home-- Pink Floyd

I saw ten seconds of Fox News in the break room. That's what happens.

You Better Run-- Pat Benatar
Yeah, Right-- Dinosaur Jr.
Rehab-- Amy Winehouse

It was so hard to choose a video for today's post, but I used to have nightmares about Randy Bachman.

The Mental Jukebox-- Sunday 11.25.7

2007-11-25T21:04:00.000-08:00

Hey, it's Sunday. I have to go back to work in the morning. Yuck.
Anyway, my songs... let me show you them.

Two Princes-- Spin Doctors
Not the sign of a good day headed your way. Imagine you wake up and the first thing you hear is the high pitched voice of a Neo-Hippie singing, "Ba-did-a-dip! Da-dip-dip-da-dip-do-bada-beeda-bada-bada-doda-mona-mona-mona-mona."
How to deal with that? Just remember, kids, that it is never too early in the day to start drinking.

I'll Provide the Love-- Toto
Across the Universe-- Beatles

Once again, my Moment of Zen...

Everything Will Be Alright-- Killers

Possibly a complementary tune to the previous one. Or sarcasm so arch even I didn't pick up on it.

To Live and Die in L.A.-- Wang Chung
Next Time That You Leave-- Bob Mould
Oh, Darling-- Beatles
Shake Your Groove Thing-- Peaches and Herb
nod + lean-- stolen sheep
Is She Weird?-- Pixies

We need to discuss Wang Chung for a moment. They put out three major albums here in the States. The first one, "Points on the Curve," yielded their first big hit, "Dance Hall Days." I still don't know all the words to that song, but I have loved it for years. (Well, that one line sounds like he's singing, "We were cool for fries." Or "We would pull whore's eyes." I kinda want it to be that last one.) The last album, "Mosaic," is the one with "Everybody Have Fun Tonight." It was the first single from the album... and ultimately the best cut. "Mosaic" is weak sauce. That song, with the unforgettable line, "Everybody Wang Chung tonight," was their biggest and most unfortunate hit. It's the one people still mock, using it to embody everything that was cheesy about the eighties. That's a shame. What people should really be using to embody that is Jon Cryer's hair in "No Small Affair."

In between those two albums, Wang Chung put out an album of remarkable strength and intensity. It is the soundtrack album to the William Friedkin film, "To Live and Die in L.A." The movie was harsh and brutal, with no happy endings and no pat resolutions. The soundtrack, which was half instrumental and half dark pop songs, matched the movie in tone and intent so perfectly that they are synonymous with each other. In that respect, the following song could be right up there with John Williams' "Imperial March" from the "Star Wars" saga or, at the very least, Tenacious D's "Kickapoo."

Show 'em some love. In my opinion, they certainly deserve it.

The Mental Jukebox-- Saturday 11.24.7

2007-11-24T21:40:00.000-08:00

That's right, no Jukebox for Friday. There were songs playing in my head but I was too busy engaging in holidalarity to list them as I normally do.
Today, however, is back to business as usual.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas-- Perry Como, I think

No kidding. First song I heard this morning, as soon as I woke up. That filled me with a sense of foreboding. Impending doom. Sweater vests.

Go Now-- Moody Blues

Obviously a hold over from a couple of days ago. When my dad is here, I always think of the Moody Blues.

Gravity Kills-- ABC
Balls to the Wall-- Accept

Again with the Accept! Maybe in my head, something is gearing up for an Accept vs. Scorpions grudgematch.

Goodbye, Earl-- Dixie Chicks
In Bloom-- Nirvana
Horse With No Name-- America
Home Again-- Oingo Boingo

Ah... Home Again... that's a good childhood memory. The music has real tension and urgency, while lyrically there's a hopelessness and slavishness remeniscent of and arguably superior to Synchronicity II.
And check out the hot video! Something is going to happen!
Wait... no, it's not.
There's a possibility of a thing...
No.
Just listen to the song.

The Mental Jukebox-- Thanksgiving edition

2007-11-22T23:35:00.000-08:00

If you celebrated this holiday, I really hope you had a good one. Mine was strictly of the awesome. My folks came down from Kentucky to eat with us. We hung out, watched three movies, drank copious amounts of alcohol and ate a lot of food. Good times, good times... the likes of which we haven't had for quite a while.

I cooked everything and my list is really short, but for a holiday, the fact that I even have a list at all is sort of impressive, don't you think?

Legend of a Mind-- Moody Blues
27 Jennifers-- Mike Doughty
In The Valley of Dying Stars-- Superdrag
These Things-- She Wants Revenge

I don't understand why The Beatles and the Rolling Stones get all the glory while bands like The Who and The Moody Blues go underappreciated and practically unnoticed. Here's a classic track from the Moodies, complete with ruffly shirt fronts.

The Mental Jukebox-- Wednesday 11.21.7

2007-11-21T21:33:00.000-08:00

By the time you read this, it will be Thanksgiving. I hope you're enjoying yours. Maybe your head is filled with sounds of the season, music of the holidays! Or maybe it's filled with yams. Either answer is acceptable.

All the Gold in California-- Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers

Why was this the song I woke up to? Was I having a Members Only dream? I was so scared this morning when that was playing on the MJ.

O! Valencia-- The Decemberists
99 Problems-- Jay-Z
Clocks-- Smashing Pumpkins
Fireworks-- Animal Collective

Almost as much fun to yodel as "Hocus Pocus."
Almost.

Hangar 18-- Megadeth
God Shuffled His Feet-- Crash Test Dummies
Moneymaker-- Rilo Kiley

Every indie guy I know is in love with Jenny Watson. I don't see the appeal. Amy Winehouse? Now that's the girl for me.
Yikes.

American Heavy Metal Weekend-- Circle Jerks

Simultaneously a slap at hair metal of the '80's and The Who's "Sister Disco." Good stuff. Harsh and biting. It's by the Circle Jerks; what, it's gonna be cute?

Hey, this week I've got a guest lister! He is my kid, The Boy! Here's what went through The Boy's mind today. Songwise, that is.

Hangar 18-- Megadeth
One-- Metallica
The Trooper-- Iron Maiden
Once In A Lifetime-- Dragonforce
Bulls On Parade-- Rage Against the Machine
Chop Suey!-- System Of A Down
Holiday In Cambodia-- Dead Kennedys
AEnima-- Tool

You can tell he's mine, all right. And here's the video for the song that showed up in both of our lists. Cue Art Bell... and the girl with the Aqua Net!

The Mental Jukebox-- Tuesday 11.20.7

2007-11-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

There may be some progress being made here! Remember, one of the main goals of this whole experiment was to engage in some self-analysis and there may actually be a couple of patterns emerging. Let's go to the leader board, Ed!

Complicated-- Avril Lavigne
Florida-- Modest Mouse

This is the second day in a row that Florida has been in heavy rotation. It is very possible that I need a vacation. Kind of anti-climactic for a revelation, I realize, but I'm relatively new at this. Cut me some slack.

Stitches-- Orgy
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme-- Black Flag
Kiss Them For Me-- Siouxsie and the Banshees
Too Much Is Enough-- The Raisins

I know it's almost not fair to keep bringing up this Cincinnati band from my youth, but if you're aware that most of this band ended up becoming The Bears, featuring Adrian Belew on vocals and guitar, it makes it all worthwhile. This song is from the Raisins studio album, which my dad mastered.

Growing Up-- blink-182
Circles-- Soul Coughing
Balls to the Wall-- Accept

And how we got from Mike Doughty immediately to German heavy metal, I can't answer for you.

Disappointed-- Public Image, Ltd.
Over My Head-- King's X
Across the Universe-- Beatles

Across the Universe has proven itself to be my Moment of Zen. Whenever I am stressed out or facing an abrupt change of plans in my day, the chorus of this song instantly runs through my head. It is my calmer. It does the job wonderfully. When I hear the line, "Nothing's gonna change my world," I feel better. How sappy is that? And no, I haven't seen the movie yet. That's why Knoxville has a dollar theatre. Pay eight bucks for that? Hmmph. I can wait that shit out.

Universally Speaking-- Red Hot Chili Peppers

Universe trifecta in play.

Hot Fun in the Summertime-- Sly and the Family Stone

Universe trifecta-- fail.

And now the first ever MENTAL JUKEBOX VIDEO DOUBLE SHOT OF HAPPY! And that's enough of that.

There isn't an official video for Florida, so here's almost three minutes of Mega Man.

There is an official video for Circles, but I like this one way better. Of course, the crazy M. Doughty scat-singing breakdown is missing, but on the upside, you don't have to look at M. Doughty. I know it, I know it.

The Mental Jukebox-- Monday 11.19.07

2007-11-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

Mondays always scatter me and send my brain into weird directions. It's like I'm trying to avoid the fact that it is Monday and I kind of go into hiding, like Newt in "Aliens." And that makes sense when you look at today's list. There are some hidden songs in there, songs hidden even more deeply than usual. These are the kind of songs that mostly come at night.
Mostly.

Florida-- Modest Mouse
The Becoming-- nine inch nails
Party All the Time-- Eddie Murphy w/Rick James
Powerline-- Husker Du
Dr. Robert (which I know is a Beatles tune, but I was hearing a cover version of it by legendary Cincinnati band...)-- The Raisins
Electric Barbarella-- Duran Duran
Happy-- Judybats
Fell Off A Mountain-- Big Bam Boo
Kosciusko-- Midnight Oil
Rag and Bone-- White Stripes
1,2,3,4-- Feist

I love Duran Duran. I always have.
See if you can guess where this is going.

The Mental Jukebox-- Sunday 11.18.7

2007-11-18T19:21:00.000-08:00

Once again, no real pattern to these, but some songs came screaming out of left field to run themselves to death in my head. Want one? Here. Take it.

Pets-- Porno for Pyros
Gimme Three Steps-- Lynyrd Skynyrd
Fake Plastic Trees-- Radiohead
Home by the Sea-- Genesis
Brick-- Ben Folds Five
Sample and Hold-- Neil Young
On the Offensive-- From Autumn to Ashes
He's So Gay-- Frank Zappa
Without A Trace-- Soul Asylum

In the eighties, the best way to alienate your record company was by doing something like this. I really liked it then. I still like it. But I understand why most people didn't.

Saturday-- 11.17.7

2007-11-17T21:14:00.000-08:00

On weekends, the Mental Jukebox doesn't go to eleven nearly as much. There are so many other sounds filling my head! I've got The Boy on weekends and we're running here, going there, playing this game, setting a car on fire, you know. The usual. So for a song to make it through where I can hear it on a weekend, it's gotta be either fairly spectacular... or spectacularly annoying. I think I have a little of both on today's admittedly short list.

Fire Maple Song-- Everclear
All I Need-- Jack Wagner
Is There A Ghost?-- Band of Horses
Good To See You-- Pinback
Going Nowhere Slow-- Bloodhound Gang
Smalltown Boy-- Bronski Beat
You Crack Me Up-- Huey Lewis and the News

I don't know why, after being absent from my head for more than twenty years, Jimmy Somerville would show back up...

Friday-- 11.16.7

2007-11-16T21:25:00.000-08:00

Today's themes seem to be heartbreak and absurdity. The two are often not far removed.

Lovin' That Girl (Is Too Hard On A Man)-- Scott Miller and the Commonwealth
Stay Together For The Kids-- blink-182
Where Do Broken Hearts Go?-- Is that Whitney Houston? I think it's Whitney Houston. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Possum Kingdom-- Toadies
Bomb--Bush (and there's two words that taste great together, eh?)
Original Prankster-- The Offspring
Is There Something I Should Know?-- Duran Duran
Solfeggio-- The Nairobi Trio
The Trooper-- Iron Maiden
Crazy Train-- Ozzy Osbourne
In My Life-- Beatles
Winning the War-- 'til tuesday

Actually recorded by Maxwell, Robert, His Harp and Orchestra (at least that's how it reads on allmusic), this song is being performed by Ernie Kovacs, Edie Adams and Jack Lemmon (the tall one with the drumsticks)as the Nairobi Trio on The Ernie Kovacs Show from back in the day. This bit had a strong impact on me as a child. I hope it scars you, too. In a good way, I mean. Totally in a good way.

Thursday-- 11.15.7

2007-11-15T21:42:00.000-08:00

There's a wide spectrum of music here. Personally, I fear madness. Possibly brought on by syphilis. Spirochettes. They eat your brain, you know.

If there is a song on this list you've never heard, don't leave it at that! Find it and listen to it. That's what music is there for. Broaden your horizons and have a little fun.

Generator-- Foo Fighters
The Down Boys-- Warrant
It's Not For Me To Say-- Johnny Mathis
Allentown-- Billy Joel
Makin' It-- David Naughton
The Finer Things-- Steve Winwood
Less Talk, More Rokk-- Freezepop
I Hate My Frickin' ISP-- Todd Rundgren
Buenos Aires-- Golden Palominos
Level 4 of the video game Parappa the Rapper. The level where Parappa has to make the seafood cake and he's watching the celebrity chef on TV. The celebrity chef who is a chicken. Remember? "Crack, crack, the egg into the bowl/Cheep, cheep, cheep's the name of my soul." Okay. Never mind.
Cable Car (Over My Head)-- The Fray (Damn you, Grey's Anatomy, for aligning yourself with this song so that I think I hear it in every single episode!)
I Got Id-- Pearl Jam
Carol of the Bells-- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Come and Get Your Love-- Redbone

This guy said, "I'm take a great song and make a video for it, using nothing but the most random-ass pictures I can find. Most of them from National Geographic. They will have nothing to do with love, except maybe for the part where the song mentions love, and you can see the guy in the chair with two dogs. That might work."

Wednesday-- 11.14.7

2007-11-14T18:47:00.000-08:00

It's been a politically charged day, and I have had to deal with racism face-first and head-on today. Not that it really shows on the list, but for some reason, my liberalism (which is genuine and huge) seems to be pushing to the forefront. Some righteous anger? Some Eighties synth-pop? Welcome to my head.

Signals Over The Air-- Thursday
Misbehave-- Lily Allen
Personal Jesus-- Depeche Mode
Turn It On Again-- Genesis
Going To A Town-- Rufus Wainwright
Release-- Pearl Jam
We Belong-- Pat Benatar
Nothing At All-- Heart
It's Business Time-- Flight of the Conchords
Dad's Gonna Kill Me-- Richard Thompson
Toxic-- Britney Spears
Doomsday Clock-- Smashing Pumpkins
I Do Not Want This-- nine inch nails

If you've never heard this song, I implore you to sit. Maybe get some hot tea. And indulge yourself in the sheer gorgeousness of this song that embodies the feeling of so many Americans right now, even the ones who won't come right out and call themselves liberal.

Tuesday-- 11.13.07

2007-11-13T21:16:00.000-08:00

Boy, talk about random! I can see a small Irish music theme at play on today's playlist, but that's about the only overarcing theme I can detect. Let me know what you find.

To the Kill-- Violent Femmes
Fairytale of New York-- STARS (originally done by the Pogues)
The Underdog-- Spoon
Believe Me, Natalie-- Killers
Snowblind-- Styx
Every Breath You Take-- The Police
Miss Otis Regrets/Just One of Those Things-- Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues
Thorn In My Side-- Black Crowes
The Final Countdown-- Europe (we're heading for Veee-nuhs!)
Auctioneer (Another Engine)-- REM
Down Under-- Men At Work
Centerfield-- John Fogerty
Dead On The Vine-- Down From Up
Fuckin' Up My Christmas-- mc chris
London Town-- Paul McCartney and Wings

I can't understand why people made videos before anybody made videos, but here's a video that shows no one should have made videos before they knew how.

Monday-- 11.12.07

2007-11-13T15:38:00.000-08:00

One of the overriding patterns I'm seeing in the Mental Jukebox is the appearance of at least one song that comes totally out of left field. A song I haven't heard of in years... hell, it may not even be a song I like. But there it is, playing in my brain, like the rantings of a long-avoided maniac.

Wherever possible, I will try to find a video of that one song and post it after each of my lists from here on out.

Here is what the Mental Jukebox had in store for me this past Monday.

Your Favorite Thing-- Sugar
When You Were Young-- Killers
Geek USA-- Smashing Pumpkins
Long Distance Runaround-- Yes
You're All I've Got Tonight-- Cars
Please Come to Boston-- Dave Loggins
Police Truck-- Dead Kennedys
F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.-- The Fall of Troy
I Want Action-- Poison

I spent a majority of the previous weekend playing "Guitar Hero III" with my son and this list clearly shows that odd influence. That Fall of Troy song is tons of fun to play, but I would never have heard it had not been for that game and The Boy consenting to play co-op mode with me. I play a mean fake bass, kids.
That explains the DK song (which is on the first "Guitar Hero" game) and the Killers song, also.
The rest of the list is up to interpretation.

In the meantime, here's a video of the record of the song that I think is the strangest one in my list. No, really. It's a video of the record of the song.

Hocus Pocus by Focus. Not even your god can save you.

2007-11-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

Put a quarter in The Mental Jukebox.

2007-11-12T20:29:00.001-08:00

The following is a reprint of the MySpace blog that started this whole doo-dah.

Most of you probably already know this, but I am a very musical person. I grew up around music, I have played in bands a majority of my life and there is always a song playing in my head.

Most of you also probably know that I have severe emotional issues that I cover up with either humor or extreme rudeness. Both work just fine as defense mechanisms, but both still lead me to the conclusion that self-analysis is key to my survival.

That is why, as your king lord geek, I have kept track of every single song that popped into my mind, unbidden and unsuggested by anyone else, for the past week. The theory is: if I'm always hearing music in my head, then maybe the music I'm hearing is trying to tell me something about myself or my situation. Perhaps my mental jukebox is trying to heal me somehow.

Or maybe I'm full of shit.

Regardless, here's the list of every song for the last week. Feel free to comment. I insist that you comment. And maybe, when we're done here, we'll have some brand new understandings about ourselves. At the very least, you will say, "Goddamn it, now I can't get that fucking song out of my head!" And when that happens, remember... I did that to you.

You're welcome.

Saturday 11.3.07

Wait and Bleed-- Slipknot
Golddigger-- Kanye West
What Have You Done For Me Lately-- Janet Jackson (Ms. Jackson, if you're nasty)

Sunday 11.4.07

Play the Game-- Queen
Scarborough Fair-- Simon & Garfunkel
Shady Lane-- Pavement
The Good Life-- Weezer
I Have Not Been To Oxford Town-- David Bowie

Monday 11.5.07

Mach Schau-- …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
You Are the Woman-- Firefall
Across the Universe-- Beatles
Stairway to Heaven-- Led Zeppelin
Kickstart My Heart-- Motley Crue
Highway to Hell-- AC/DC
Pleased To Meet You-- Wolfmother
Thunder Island-- Jay Ferguson
One-- Metallica
Heresy-- nine inch nails
War All The Time-- Thursday
An Englishman in New York-- Sting
The Trooper-- Iron Maiden
Found A Job-- Talking Heads
Indecision Time-- Husker Du

Tuesday 11.6.07

Kickstart My Heart-- Motley Crue
I Want Your Sex-- George Michael
On The Offensive-- From Autumn to Ashes
Don't Pass Me By-- Beatles
Johnny Hit and Run Pauline-- X
Awesome-- Dollyrots
The Metal-- Tenacious D
Steal My Kisses-- Ben Harper
Something In The Way-- Nirvana
California Uber Alles-- Dead Kennedys

Wednesday 11.7.07

Afternoons and Coffeespoons-- Crash Test Dummies
Spaceboy-- Smashing Pumpkins
Blackberry Belle--Twilight Singers
Some rock instrumental from the early '70's. Not one of the obvious ones like "Frankenstein" or "Fire on High." I remember it because the guy starts fucking yodeling right in the middle of it. It's fantastic! I thought it was Johnny Winter, but I can't verify that and I can't hum it for you in a blog. (Thanks to my friend George, I can now confirm this song is "Hocus Pocus" by Focus. Download that and slowly go insane.)
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?-- Chicago
San Ber'dino-- Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention
Thorn In My Side-- Black Crowes
Good Morning, Good Morning-- Beatles
Empire-- Queensryche
Hangar 18-- Megadeth
Charles Nelson Reilly-- Dead Milkmen
Pistolwhip A Mime-- What Army
Take Me Down-- Alabama

Thursday 11.8.07
No Pussy Blues-- Grinderman
Gimme Some Water-- Eddie Money
Tarantula-- Smashing Pumpkins
Geek USA-- Smashing Pumpkins
Jenny From The Block-- J-Lo
Talking Out Of Turn-- Moody Blues
Life in the Fast Lane-- Eagles
Don't Answer Me-- Alan Parsons Project
Heaven-- Talking Heads
Sowing Season (Yeah)-- Brand New

Friday 11.9.07

Can Your Pussy Do The Dog?-- The Cramps
The Surfing Dead-- The Cramps
Marlene On The Wall-- Suzanne Vega
Papagenu (He's My Sassafrass)-- Tenacious D
It's So Easy-- Guns 'n' Roses
The theme from the original "Land of the Lost" TV show. Not that remake "livin' in the land of the lost" bullshit. I'm talking, "Marshall, Will and Holly on a routine expedition…" Yeah. That one.
We Never Change-- Coldplay
Forever Young-- Rod Stewart
Millstone-- Brand New
Carry Me Home-- The Living End
Double Vision-- Foreigner
Dirty Window-- Metallica
Theme from "Teen Girl Squad." If you don't know what that is, go to www.homestarrunner.com and noodle about until you find it. You'll thank me later.
Milk It-- Nirvana

And so it begins. I will be adding daily lists to the blog and you are more than welcome to comment. Talk about the songs, talk about the songs that have been stuck in your head or use my lists to analyze me. Try to keep your posts reasonably intelligent, okay? Stuff like, "d00d, ur problem iz ur a fagit" will not stay on the blog for long.

Have fun!